Politics

Kogi G-15 lawmakers defy police, hold session

Published

8 years ago

May 27, 2016

Kogi G-15 lawmakers defy police, hold session

It was another dramatic day at the Kogi State House of Assembly on Thursday, as the Group of 15 members of the Assembly held their first sitting after the court judgement that nulliffied the impeachment of the Speaker, Momoh-Jimoh Lawal.

A Kogi State High Court, sitting in Lokoja, had on Thursday, May 19, declared the impeachment of Lawal and other principal officials of the Assembly null and void.

Though there was a heavy presence of armed policemen at the entrance of the assembly but that could not stop the lawmakers who forced the padlocked gate open.

Despite the absence of officials of the assembly, the lawmakers held a session presided over by Lawal.

Lawal described the victory of the G15 as a victory for democracy and an enthronement of good over evil, adding that the pronouncement of the court is a victory for the people of Kogi State.

Read also: Edo 2016: Inside Oshiomhole’s plot to install Obaseki

The Speaker also commended the selflessness and perseverance of the G15 members in the face of oppression and violence.

He said: “Today, our struggle for the entrenchment of democracy in Kogi State has paid off with the judicial pronouncements made on Thursday May 19, 2016.”

He also called on his colleagues to be more responsive to the yearning and aspirations of the masses.

“We must now strengthen our resolve to defend and protect the mandate given to each and every one of us. Having lost a large part of a whole legislative year due to the antics of anti-democratic forces, we must, therefore, be ready to work assiduously to cover lost grounds,” Lawal said.

RipplesNigeria …without borders, without fears

Join the conversation

Opinions

Support Ripples Nigeria, hold up solutions journalism

Balanced, fearless journalism driven by data comes at huge financial costs.

As a media platform, we hold leadership accountable and will not trade the right to press freedom and free speech for a piece of cake.

If you like what we do, and are ready to uphold solutions journalism, kindly donate to the Ripples Nigeria cause.

Your support would help to ensure that citizens and institutions continue to have free access to credible and reliable information for societal development.

Donate Now